• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.785-791
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• 2002

The effect of the supercritical carbon dioxide (sc$CO_2$) on ion-conductive behaviors for polyether electrolytes based on, both poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly [oligo (oxyethylene glycol) methacrylate] (PMEO) with lithium triflate, LiCF$_3$SO$_3$, has been investigated. In particular, the present research is a new concept for improving the ionic conductivity of polyether electrolytes. The maximum ionic conductivity ($\sigma$$_{max}$) at room temperature of the PEO electrolyte was more than 100 times higher, and the $\sigma$$_{max}$ at 9$0^{\circ}C$ of the PMEO electrolyte was 30 times improved by the se$CO_2$ treatment, respectively. It was revealed that the penetration of $CO_2$ molecules into the polymer matrix causes the increase of carrier ions by ion-dispersion effect and the decrease of glass transition temperature (T$_{g}$) by plasticizing effect that results in the improvement of the ion transport behaviors.viors.

• International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.54-58
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• 2007

This paper describes an atomic force microscope (AFM)-based instrument for measuring the nanoscale cutting edge profiles of diamond cutting tools. The instrument consists of a combined AFM unit and an optical sensor to align the AFM tip with the top of the diamond cutting tool edge over a submicron range. In the optical sensor, a aser beam is emitted from a laser diode along the Y-axis and focused to a small beam spot with a diameter of approximately $10{\mu}m$ at the beam waist, which is then received by a photodiode. The top of the tool edge is first brought into the center of the beam waist by adjusting it in the X-Z-plane while monitoring the variation in the photodiode output. The cutting tool is then withdrawn and its top edge position at the beam center is recorded. The AFM tip can also be positioned at the beam center in a similar manner to align it with the top of the cutting edge. To reduce electronic noise interference on the photodiode output and thereby enhance the alignment accuracy, a technique is applied that can modulate the photodiode output to an AC signal by driving the laser diode with a sinusoidal current. Alignment experiments and edge profile measurements of a diamond cutting tool were carried out to verify the performance of the proposed system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.781-784
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• 2016

The Plurinational State of Bolivia (Bolivia) has a high incidence rate of gallbladder cancer (GBC). However, the genetic and environmental risk factors for GBC development are not well understood. We aimed to assess whether or not cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1), glutathione S-transferase mu 1 (GSTM1), theta 1 (GSTT1) and tumor suppressor protein p53 (TP53) genetic polymorphisms modulate GBC susceptibility in Bolivians. This case-control study covered 32 patients with GBC and 86 healthy subjects. GBC was diagnosed on the basis of histological analysis of tissues at the Instituto de Gastroenterologia Boliviano-Japones (IGBJ); the healthy subjects were members of the staff at the IGBJ. Distributions of the CYP1A1 rs1048943 and TP53 rs1042522 polymorphisms were assayed using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. GSTM1 and GSTT1 deletion polymorphisms were detected by a multiplex PCR assay. The frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype was significantly higher in GBC patients than in the healthy subjects (odds ratio [OR], 2.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-5.37; age-adjusted OR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.29-9.66; age- and sex-adjusted OR, 3.40; 95% CI, 1.24-9.34). No significant differences were observed in the frequencies of CYP1A1, GSTT1, or TP53 polymorphisms between the two groups. The GSTM1 null genotype was associated with increased GBC risk in Bolivians. Additional studies with larger control and case populations are warranted to confirm the association between the GSTM1 deletion polymorphism and GBC risk suggested in the present study.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.346-346
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• 2017

In Northern Laos, maize is cultivated in continuous cropping without fertilizer, fallowing nor any other soil conservation practice. It is expected that this inadequate management in maize cultivation will degrade soil and decrease yield. However, there is limited information about the change of soil condition and yield under continuous maize cultivation. We tried to evaluate the change of soil condition and yield under continuous maize cultivation in Northern Laos. Our study was conducted in farmer's flat and slope fields in Sainyabuli province where maize cultivation had been introduced earlier than the other provinces of Northern Laos. Our study was conducted in 21 fields in 2014, and in 19 fields in 2015. We analyzed grain yield and soil characteristic (total carbon (TC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Av-P), exchangeable cation, pH, soil texture) at 3 places in each field. The 3 places were set at different elevation level (lower position, middle position, upper position) in slope fields. Further, the period of continuous maize cultivation and crop management practice were investigated. Then, by evaluating the relation between the period of continuous maize cultivation and yield and the soil characteristics, the effect of maize cultivation was estimated. Crop management practices were similar among the investigated fields. Maize was cultivated in rain season. Grain seed and cob were harvested on September or October, but shoot was left on the fields. No crop was cultivated during dry season. Fertilization and fallowing has never been conducted under continuous maize cultivation. On the other hand, the period of maize cultivation was different among the fields, and ranged from 2 years to 30 years. In the slope fields, as the period of continuous maize cultivation was longer, the contents of TC and TN were lower at all 3 positions, Av-P content was lower at the upper position, exchangeable potassium (Ex-K) content was lower at the middle and the upper positions. The other soil characteristics weren't related with the period of maize cultivation in the slope fields. In contrast, soil characteristics weren't related with the period of maize cultivation in the flat fields. Yield was lower as the period of maize cultivation was longer at the upper position of the slope fields. At middle position of slope fields, yield tended to be low with increase of the period of maize cultivation. In contrast, yield wasn't related with the period of continuous maize cultivation in flat fields. From the results about crop management, it was presumed that the period of maize cultivation was one of the main factors causing the difference of yield and soil characteristics among the fields. Therefore, from the result of yield and soil condition, it was considered that the continuous maize cultivation decreased soil productivity in the slope fields with decline of TC, TN, Av-P, Ex-K and yield at upper position of slope fields, and decline of TC and TN in the other positions in Sainyabuli province.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.5987-5991
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• 2015

Our previous study detected aflatoxins in red chili peppers from Chile, Bolivia, and Peru, each of which have a high incidence of gallbladder cancer (GBC). Since the aflatoxin B1 concentration was not so high in these peppers, it is important to clarify the presence of other mycotoxins. Here we attempted to determine any associations between the concentrations of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A (OTA) in red chili peppers, and the corresponding GBC incidences. We collected red chili peppers from three areas in Peru: Trujillo (a high GBC incidence area), Cusco (an intermediate GBC incidence area), and Lima (a low GBC incidence rate), and from Chile and Bolivia. Aflatoxins and OTA were extracted with organic solvents. The concentrations of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, and OTA were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The values obtained were compared with the incidence of GBC in each area or country. All of the red chili peppers from the three areas showed contamination with aflatoxins below the Commission of the European Communities (EC) recommended limits ($5{\mu}g/kg$), but the OTA contamination of two samples was above the EC recommended limit ($15{\mu}g/kg$). The mean concentrations of OTA in the peppers from Chile (mean $355{\mu}g/kg$, range < $5-1,059{\mu}g/kg$) and Bolivia (mean $207{\mu}g/kg$, range $0.8-628{\mu}g/kg$), which has a high incidence of GBC, were higher than that in Peru ($14{\mu}g/kg$, range < $5-47{\mu}g/kg$), which has an intermediate GBC incidence. The OTA contamination in the red chili peppers from Chile, Bolivia, and Peru was stronger than that of aflatoxins. Our data suggest that OTA in red chili peppers may be associated with the development of GBC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5449-5454
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• 2014

Although genetic characteristics are considered to be a factor influencing the geographic variation in the prevalence of gallbladder cancer (GBC), they have not been well studied in Bolivia, which has a high prevalence rate of GBC. The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of TP53 and K-ras mutations in Bolivian patients with GBC and to compare them with our previous data obtained in other high-GBC-prevalence countries, namely Japan, Chile, and Hungary. DNA was extracted from cancer sites in paraffin-embedded tissue from 36 patients using a microdissection technique. TP53 mutations at exons 5 to 8 and K-ras mutations at codons 12, 13 and 61 were examined using direct sequencing techniques. The data obtained were compared with those in the other high-GBC-prevalence countries. Of the 36 patients, 18 (50.0%) had a TP53 mutation (one mutation in each of 17 patients and three mutations in one patient), and only one (2.8%) had a K-ras mutation. Of the 20 TP53 mutations, 12 were of the transition type (60.0%). This rate was significantly lower than that in Chile (12/12, P<0.05). In addition, three mutations were of the CpG transition type (15.0%), which is a feature of endogenous mutation. All three were found in the hot spot region of the TP53 gene. In contrast, G:C to T:A transversion was found in Bolivia, suggesting the presence of exogenous carcinogens. Our findings suggest that the development of GBC in Bolivia is associated with both exogenous carcinogens and endogenous mechanisms. The identification of an environmental risk factor for GBC is needed to confirm these findings.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5167-5170
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• 2012

Chilean red chili peppers contaminated with aflatoxins were reported in a previous study. If the development of gallbladder cancer (GBC) in Chile is associated with a high level of consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated red chili peppers, such peppers from other countries having a high GBC incidence rate may also be contaminated with aflatoxins. We aimed to determine whether this might be the case for red chili peppers from Bolivia and Peru. A total of 7 samples (3 from Bolivia, 4 from Peru) and 3 controls (2 from China, 1 from Japan) were evaluated. Aflatoxins were extracted with acetonitrile:water (9:1, v/v) and eluted through an immuno-affinity column. The concentrations of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and then the detected aflatoxins were identified using HPLC-mass spectrometry. In some but not all of the samples from Bolivia and Peru, aflatoxin B1 or aflatoxins B1 and B2 were detected. In particular, aflatoxin B1 or total aflatoxin concentrations in a Bolivian samples were above the maximum levels for aflatoxins in spices proposed by the European Commission. Red chili peppers from Bolivia and Peru consumed by populations having high GBC incidence rates would appear to be contaminated with aflatoxins. These data suggest the possibility that a high level of consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated red chili peppers is related to the development of GBC, and the association between the two should be confirmed by a case-control study.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3499-3503
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• 2016

Our recent studies conducted in South America have shown that mycotoxin contamination of red chili peppers (RCPs) may be associated with an increased risk of gallbladder cancer (GBC). Whether this relationship exists in India, a country with a high incidence of GBC and high consumption of RCPs, is unclear. We therefore measured concentrations of aflatoxins (AFs) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in RCPs from areas of low, medium, and high incidence of GBC in India, and compared these concentrations with GBC incidence in each area. Twenty-one RCP samples were collected from nine cities (eight from a low-incidence area, five from a medium-incidence area, and eight from a high-incidence area). Concentrations of AFs and OTA were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. No significant differences in mean concentrations of AFs and OTA were found in the three areas. AFB1 levels in the low-incidence area ($10.81{\mu}g/kg$) and high-incidence area ($12.00{\mu}g/kg$) were more than 2.2 and 2.4 times higher compared with the maximum permitted level of AFB1 in spices ($5.0{\mu}g/kg$) set by the Commission of the European Communities, or that ($4.4{\mu}g/kg$) obtained in our previous study in Chile. Our results show that the mean concentrations of mycotoxins in RCPs are similar among the three areas in India with different incidences of GBC. Further studies with human subjects are needed to evaluate any association between AFB1 and GBC.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.427-436
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• 2008

Purpose. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavioral response and assess the effectiveness of additional intranasal (IN) and submucosal (SM) administration of midazolam during pediatric sedation for dental procedure. Material and methods. Thirty-three cases of healthy (ASAⅠ), uncooperative children aged from 24 to 72 month old at pediatric dental clinic of Ewha Womans University Hospital were selected for this study. Children received oral chloral hydrate 50 mg/kg with hydroxyzine 1.0 mg/kg. After waiting for 45 minutes, midazolam 0.2 mg/kg was administrated via IN route and via SM route randomly maintaining 50% of $N_2O$. A pulse oximeter and a capnograph were used for measuring vital signs ($SpO_2$, PR, RR, $EtCO_2$) throughout the sedation. Behavioral response was evaluated as Quiet (Q), Crying (C), Movement (M) or Struggling (S) in every 2 minutes for 40 minutes. Results. There were also no statistically significant differences in vital signs of the two groups. The behavioral response for the first ten minutes during sedation was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the two groups. After the first ten minutes, it was revealed that there was no significant difference. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that the addition of IN midazolam to the combination of oral chloral hydrate with hydroxyzine and nitrous oxide/oxygen inhalation is as safe and effective as that of SM midazolam in pediatric sedation for dental procedure.